Pruning-shears.



No. 723,629. PATENTED MAR. 24, 1903.

J. H. WILBS.

PRUNING SHEARS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 24, 1802.

cg R Q a H H I p} I i E) y w I N H H i m I H r i melm'eai' fi'uentbwvUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN HENRY WILES, OF ROSEBURG, OREGON.

PRUNlNG-SHEARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 723,629, dated March24, 1903. Application filed March 24, 1902. Serial No. 99,827. onmodel.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN HENRY WILES, of Roseburg, in the county ofDouglas and State of Oregon, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Pruning-Shears, of which the following is a full, clear,and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in pruning-shears; and it has forits object to simplify and improve the construction of devices of thecharacter referred to and-to provide for the more convenient operationof the same.

It consists in the construction,arrangement, and combination of partshereinafter described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the preferred embodiment ofmy invention, and in which like reference characters designate similarand corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a view in elevation of my improveddevice. Fig. 2 is a detail view of the fixed blade. Fig. 3 is a detailview of the operating-arm for the pivoted blade. Fig. 4 is adetailview'of the pivoted blade. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the pivoted bladeand its arm secured together. Fig. 6 is an end view of theoperating-lever. Fig. 7 is a detail view of one of the heads of theconnecting-rod, and Fig. 8 is a detail view of the bearing for theoperating-lever.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, T is a rod having asuitable handle at its lower end and at its upper end a ferrule N. Afixed blade B is secured to the'rod T by its shank, which enters theupper end thereof. Pivoted to this fixed blade is a blade A, which hasan arm 0 secured thereto, preferably by rivets. A suitableconnecting-rod S, having a bearing in a bracket I, secured to the rod orpole T, is connected at one end to the arm 0 of the blade A and at theopposite end to an operating-lever F. The connection between theconnecting-rod and its respective parts is preferably formed bybifurcated or forked heads D K, one of which receives the end of the arm0 and the other a tongue of the operating-lever. These heads are securedto the connecting-rod by a thread and nut to permit the distance betweenthe connecting-points of the rod to be adjusted so as to vary theopening between the blades. Slipped upon the rod S and interposedbetween the bracket Iand the head K is a coiled spring M to throw thepivoted blade outwardly, and thereby normally retain the blades open.Said lever F, which is bifurcated orforked to embrace the pole T, hasthe distant ends of its arms J connected to a rod pivoted or fulcru'medupon a bearing-plate O, suitably secured to that edge or side of,preferably, an enlargement T of said pole. Said lever has its handledportion standing a little out of a right-angled plane with said arms andits upper end preferably slightly curved upwardly and away 'from saidarms beyond.

the forward edge of said pole, where the point of connection is effectedtherebetween and the rod S. It will be observed that by means of thisarrangement of said lever with its handie it is capable of the minimummovement in effecting its operation, as in actuating the instrument, andit is also thus adapted to be actuated by the same hand grasping thehandle of the pole T, thereby lessening the movement of the parts inusing the instrument as well as permitting said instrument to beoperated by the hand, as in using a pair of shears.

My invention provides a device in which the opening between the bladesis in a line with the rod or pole and which may be easily manipulated.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is t 1. In a pruningimplement,the combinationof a pole having applied thereto at one end, a fixed blade, at pivotedblade fulcrumed upon said fixed blade, and a rod connected to saidpivoted blade, and a handled lever having a bifurcated portion with itsarms formed thereby embracing said pole and connected to a pivot bearingupon the distant edge or side of said pole, said lever havingan outwardextension connected to said rod, said lever also having its handleadapted to be engaged by the hand grasping said pole, said engagementbeing effected simultaneously with such grasping of the pole.

2. In a pruning implement,the combination of a pole, a fixed bladeapplied thereto at one end, a pivoted blade fulcrumed upon said fixedblade, a spring-actuated rod connected to said pivoted blade, and alever having the arms of its bifurcated portion embracing said pole andthe distant ends of said arms connected to a pivot bearing at that edgeof said pole, said lever also having an outwardlycurved portion orextension connected to said rod, said lever-also having a handlestanding slightly out of a right-angled plane with said arms, andadapted to be engaged with the hand grasping the pole, said engagementbe- A ing effected simultaneously with such grasping of the pole.

3. Inapruningimplement,thecombination of a pole, a fixed blade appliedto said pole at one end, a pivoted blade fulcrumed upon said fixedblade, a spring-actuated rod connected to said pivoted blade and passingfected simultaneously with such grasping of 3c the pole.

JOHN HENRY WILES.

Witnesses:

G. E. ROBERTS, R. 0. BROWN.

